The Barrel Saloon in Albany Closing to Make Way for New Craft Beer Bar

I'd like to say I'm sad to see the Barrel go but I'm actually really looking forward to the new concept that will be taking it's place.

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If you are a fan of frequenting the Barrel Saloon on Broadway in the warehouse district of Albany I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you might want to get some quality time in with you favorite spot while you still can.

This morning the Times Union reported that the Barrel Saloon will be closing it's doors at the end of July because basically their owners have become too busy running their other four other ventures in downtown Albany, The Capital Bistro, Pearl Street Pub, Steuben St. Market, and Public House 42, that they don't really have the time to devote to it anymore. So the owners thought that since they "don't owe anything on it" and apparently actually made a profit from the business that they would sell it.

Turns out a few familiar faces to the Albany bar seen will be taking over ownership of the establishment. Four of the bartenders from the Lionheart Pub at Lark and Madison will be going in together to open a craft beer bar and casual dining spot they will call Lost & Found and hope to have open to the public by mid August.

While I have had some good times at the Barrel in the past I think it was more because of the people I was with than the actual establishment it's self. Their food always smelled amazing and their patio is pretty on point but I feel like every time I did go there it was a struggle to get any sort of service so I ended up ordering a beverage and then migrating to a different spot. So I'm pretty excited to see what this group of first time business owners can bring to the spot especially after working in the industry so long themselves.

What do you think? Are you sad to see the Barrel go? Are you excited for what's next? Let us know in the comments.